Maryam, Nawaz meet Iranian ambassador

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and PMLN President Nawaz Sharif met Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam to review cooperation between Iran and Punjab in agriculture, livestock and other sectors.

Trade, cultural, social and economic ties between Punjab and Iran were also discussed.

Maryam was briefed by the ambassador that Iran agreed to increase import of meat from Punjab from 40% to 70%. He also held a discussion on the commercial role of Punjab to increase bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran up to $10 billion. It was agreed in principle to make the Pak-Iran border a border of economy. Various proposals were considered for the promotion of Persian language in Punjab to further promote people-to-people contact between Punjab and Iran.

Dr Moghaddam presented a written invitation to Maryam and Nawaz to visit Iran. Maryam and Nawaz expressed grief over the martyrdom of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi. They said: “Ibrahim Raisi and his comrades felt the pain of the people of Iran from the core of their heart.” Maryam said: “A meeting with Raisi was memorable, his personality was impressive. In a one-on-one meeting with Raisi, there was a fruitful discussion on the promotion of trade and cultural relations. Dr Moghaddam said: “We are grateful to Pakistan. Pakistan has a very special importance for Iran, Pakistani people have proved to be Iran’s true friends. Raisi wanted to meet Nawaz but could not do so due to his visit to China. Agreements and MoUs signed during Raisi’s visit to Pakistan will be materialised.” He congratulated Maryam on successfully completing 100 days as the first female chief minister of Punjab. He appreciated her people-friendly initiatives. Maryam thanked the Iranian ambassador and agreed to further increase cultural links between the twin cities of Isfahan, Mashhad and Lahore.

Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz called chief officers and sanitary workers to the CM Office for making excellent cleanliness arrangements on Eid and paid them tributes.

Two sanitary workers presented a portrait made with pencil to Maryam on which she expressed her gratitude. She distributed commendation certificates among the sanitary workers on showing excellent performance. The CM left her seat and sat among them. She inquired from the women sanitary workers about their well-being. Addressing the sanitary workers and chief officers, she said: “I want to sit among the heroes, and I am feeling heartily overjoyed.

Maryam said: “ Even the opponents appreciated that the animal sacrifice at such a mega scale has not been witnessed before. Roads were washed with rose water to do away with stink. We have to keep our country, province and city neat and clean. We are introducing a waste management system in all districts of Punjab and will provide resources as well. Cleanliness was observed not only in urban areas but in rural areas as well.”

Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique, while giving a briefing on the Suthra Punjab Mission, apprised that 1 lakh 80 thousand tonnes waste was done away with during the 3 days of Eid. The waste of 18 lakh animals was disposed of in an appropriate manner. More than 32 thousand biodegradable bags were distributed. As many as 55,000 sanitary workers performed their duties in a severe hot weather.

Information Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari, Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique, Special Assistants Zeeshan Malik, Rashid Nasrullah, MPA Sania Ashiq, Chairman LWMC Bilal Zulfiqar Khokhar, Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Zafar Daal, secretaries and Local Government and LWMC officials participated in the meeting, while the commissioners of Faisalabad, DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal and Gujranwala joined the meeting via video link.

The CM has taken notice of the murder of a woman and her three daughters by her son in the guise of ‘honour killing’ in Kabirwala. She sought a report from the inspector general of police and said: “I am grieved over the murders. No one will be allowed to take the law into one’s own hands. The Punjab government will play its proactive role to get the accused a stern punishment according to the law.” On the timely notice of the CM, police have arrested the accused.